Extending access to an IB education: The IB Open World Schools pilot project Denise Perrault Paul Gallagher July 2013
...motivated by a Mission The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
What is the Open World Schools pilot? Extends access to students who cannot attend IB World Schools to benefit from an IB educational experience Enable students, increasingly socialized in the digital world, to develop essential skills that will equip them for life after school In September 2012 the first non-ib students were enrolled in DP courses online at one of the four IB open world schools Who can enrol in the Open World Schools pilot? Students not attending an IB authorised school may enrol in an online course through the pilot and join global cohorts with IB students Students at non-ib schools who want to take a single IB course High-achieving students seeking a rigorous course for their high school transcript or college application
Why a pilot? To learn from the successes and challenges faced by schools To gather detailed qualitative information regarding the variables for implementation To understand the differences between individual IBOWS and Link Schools to support the development of multi-models as best fits
The Link School Model Pilot feasibility IB Pilot support Quality Assurance IBOWS Partnership Recruitment Registration Support (SBC) Exams Link School Pamoja Education Teaching and Learning Reporting Technical Support Link Mentor Course provider International Baccalaureate Organization
Presently 4 worldwide: IB Open World Schools Adrian High School, Michigan USA International School of Berne, Berne Switzerland Riverview High School, Florida USA Yokohama International School, Yokohama Japan
One school s journey
Riverview: Research & Development Part of access & equity promotion
Non-Negotiable for link with Riverview = Affiliation
Forms of affiliation: Year 1 1. Riverview IB teacher mentoring; 2. Regular visits from IB DPC; 3. Visit/Collaboration with IB DP students; 4. Visit to IB core class at Riverview
Findings from Riverview Experience, Year 1 1. Global connection is significant 2. Positive effect on self-esteem due to standards is evident 3. Pamoja course is highest quality 4. Orientation to IB is necessary 5. Time and space are imperative 6. Personnel time is a consideration 7. Funding questions are always hovering overhead
Plans for Year 2 of Pilot a) Successful completion of Year 2 studies and exams; b) New Year 1 Cohort; c) Additional link school; d) Further definition of affiliation
Case Study: June 2013 Adrian/Hudson Riverview/Booker
The IBOWS Adrian High School Riverview High School Type of School %free/redu ced lunch Total students Total students DP DP % of grades 11/12 Total certificate students Total online students Adrian Open 34% 900 36 8% 70 14 Riverview Selective 15% 2700 233 24% Few 0
The Link Schools Booker High School Type of School %free/reduced lunch Hudson High School Total students % minority Total online students Hudson (Adrian) Open 53% 350 8% 2 Booker (Riverview) Open with magnet 33% 1000 60% 10
Motivation for IBOWS - Adrian Access to an IB education for non-ib students Any student can benefit from participating in a course that is more rigorous and required deeper thinking than other high school courses Every student taking at least 1 IB course Students interacting with students throughout the world
Motivation for IBOWS Riverview Access authentic IB experience Opportunity to get a more diverse body of students involved in IB Integrate IB DP students with different types of students
Motivation for Link Schools Expanded opportunity for rigorous coursework Development of global thinking skills and global interactions Increase graduation rate and reduce drop-out rate by changing the culture Attract new students Meet parental demands for challenge
Partnerships Two of many potential models for IBOWS Different ways of interacting Subject-based help from IBOWS CAS, TOK participation Face-to-face support from IB teachers
Two emerging models IB DP course Provide access to IB online course Some IB better than no IB IB DP course with additional elements Provide access to IB online course authentic IB experience
Link logistics Both Link Mentors guidance counselors All students with assigned school time for online course Regular monitoring by Link Mentor Single student versus many Financial model special funding versus district funding
Considerations All Link students struggling with same issues Time management Course rigour Online environment IB = rigorous, difficult, international
IB DP course with additional elements Question 1: Is this model sustainable/scalable (financially/personnel)? Question 2: Do elements beyond the online course experience have to be conducted faceto-face? Question 3: What elements should be included?
Structural considerations Characteristics Variations Where found IB school leadership Specially designated Adrian DPC + SBC Riverview DPC as SBC Possible in the future Link mentor personnel Guidance counselor Hudson and Booker Other personnel Possible in the future Link mentor characteristics New to IB Hudson and Booker Prior IB experience Possible in the future Number of students Lone student Hudson Cohort of students Booker
Questions of structure Question 1: Who should lead the IBOWS initiative at the IB school? Question 2: Who should lead the IBOWS initiative at the link school? Question 3: How much support does the link mentor need? Question 4: How many student should there be at each link school?
Closing thoughts What is an authentic IB experience? How could we make the Learner Profile more explicit? Within courses, as individual modules TOK (blended, modules) CAS (course or exchange) When does an IB DP course become just a course?
Thank You To view the video presentation go to: https://vimeo.com/user10708324/review/69945346/11e596fc3c